Through years and years of selling in the Bay Area, we've pinpointed three problems that you may encounter when trying to sell quickly and for top dollar. We've helped a lot of families buy and sell homes, and we would like you to know these things so that you can have a good real estate experience.

We recently had a transaction where we helped a seller overcome these three common obstacles. The home was listed at $499,800 and we managed to sell it for $648,000 - that's $148,000 above asking price! We received fifteen offers and more than 200 buyers looked at this home. On top of this, our 3.68% commission rate was able to save the buyer $8,500.

Here were the three major obstacles that we helped the sellers overcome:

It's very important for home sellers to get a home inspection and a termite inspection report before putting the home on the market. This allows a seller to foresee potential problems that could prevent the home from selling, and buyers appreciate this proactive approach from a seller. These inspections provide peace of mind to both parties, and that's gold in this industry.

This particular seller was an out-of-town owner, so he wasn't around to spruce up the property. However, we have a network of contractors, painters, home stagers, cleaners, and more. We hired people to finish all of the cosmetic work, and they turned this tenant-occupied property into a turnkey listing. The seller didn't have to lift a finger!

San Bruno requires an updated sewer lateral report for all homes that are being sold. This home had a problem occurring during the inspection, and this required the seller to pay $7,000 to fix the sewer problem. Unfortunately, the seller had to pay for this problem to be corrected, but we handled all of the inspections required by the city and found the right people to fix the problem for the seller. Once again, we did the work for the seller, and he walked away a very happy client.

As you can see, we managed to sell this listing for more than 30% above its list price. The seller enjoyed a stress-free sale and all the work was done for him.If you want a smooth and worry-free real estate transaction in the Bay Area, please don't hesitate to contact us.Last but not least, we want to wish you a very happy and safe Holiday season. Your referrals and your business mean the world to us, and we wouldn't be where we are today without all of your help and support. You are extremely valuable to us, so please do not forget that!Happy Holidays from the MC Investments Advisory Team!

The “coastal” style is universally popular, especially for those of us who love to be outdoors or want to invoke a tranquil atmosphere with beautiful natural sand tones, or the rich blue tones of the beach. I recently came across a video on HGTV’s YouTube Channel, where professional designer Brian Patrick Flynn details how to create a seaworthy vibe in any room. If you aren’t careful, nautical/coastal rooms can become very cliche and/or juvenile. To avoid this, stay away from any decorations that involve anchors, fish, crabs, or lobsters. Brian and the folks over at HGTV recommend a more sophisticated approach to the coastal style.

In the video above, Brian brings in sand tones with a Jute Boucle rug, as well as oatmeal-sandy tones in the upholstery. As for the blues, you don’t have to only focus on navy. Bring in navy to anchor the room, and add in some blue-grays and seafoam tones to diversify. A few blue-tinted touches of glass can be reminiscent of sea glass, which you can see in the lamp, as well as in some vessels. Driftwood is the ultimate beachy texture, but you should use it sparingly, maybe in just one or two elements or accessories. If you are looking to bring a coastal feel into your own home, stay away from the more cliche approach and do it in a more unique and abstract way. If you have any questions for us about this video, or anything else real estate related, feel free to give us a call or send us a quick email. We would love to hear from you!

Today I wanted to take a break from talking about the real estate market and the latest numbers to give you some valuable home design advice. Whether you are trying to stage your home for sale, or just want a different feel than the same old room you’ve always had, we’ve got you covered. In the video above, from HGTV’s YouTube channel, Brian Patrick Flynn, a very talented interior designer, goes through five different ways to style a room. The furniture never changes, just the accessories around them, and that’s the beauty of interior design. Today we will go through the 5 different ways Brian styles this room, and detail how each of them offers a different feel from the next.

1. TraditionalFor a traditional look, add fresh flowers and soft coral accents. Accessorize the room with understated accents, like a stone bust, and keep the color palette soft. 2. MasculineTo create a more masculine look, utilize bold prints, and different shades of blue. Use only a few large accessories to make a bold statement.3. FeminineAdding bright pink, cozy, soft fabrics and curvy accents is the best way to add that feminine touch to your room.4. NeutralFor a neutral look, adding colors like ivory, beige, and taupe and accessorizing them with patterns in varying sizes and textures will keep this neutral look interesting. 5. CoastalCreating a coastal look in your room requires using organic accessories, as well as hints of blue. Instead of the wicker furniture that beach homes are known for, substitute with a wicker lamp to keep the feel of a beach house within the comfort of your living room. There you have it, five great, unique ways to style any room in your home. If you have any questions for us, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We would love to hear from you!

Why work with us?

Why Hire Michael & Jenny?Michael and Jenny's goal is to sell your home for the top dollar with the least amount of hassle TO YOU as possible. Everything Michael and Jenny do is geared towards pleasing their customers, and this is part of the reason why they have been so successful in the Bay Area! Michael and Jenny have a combined 50 years of experience on their team and they always work with honesty and integrity. Before you hire just any Realtor to sell your home, call or email Michael and Jenny for a free home selling consultation TODAY!

What our clients have to say

"What struck me first was how they showed houses with their son and daughter. I immediately trusted these realtors more than others because hey they were all in it together. They were kind and effective. I got an email to write a review, and let me just say I rarely do that because honestly I don’t know what to say about businesses and companies that I work with. However, I do know that Jenny and Michael are well qualified because my wife and I did not have to do anything to sell our house and get a Loan commitment letter for a future home (which we are still searching for contact me please if you are selling in Palo Alto). Thanks to them we sold our home in San Mateo and got a great offer and we are set for buying!"

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"I worked with several real estate agents and Michael and Jenny were by far the most qualified. Searching for properties on Craigslist seems like a complete waste of time in retrospect because once I began working with them, the process because less time-intensive for me and much more effective. One of the best aspects of my experience working with Michael is that he was able to show me properties that I liked in many different neighborhoods. His knowledge and connections definitely extend beyond any single particular neighborhood. Another would be the great programs they offer and specialize in because to be honest, I was not the most qualified buyer. I had been renting and the rent was just getting too high, but I did not have a large amount of savings or excellent credit. However, they worked with me to make my offer look presentable and Jenny secured a solid, creative loan for me. I've been in my new home in Foster City for 3 months now and I can’t say that I have any complaints. Thanks!"

Andrew -"I was very satisfied with what they did. They sold my condo, and then we bought a single-family home. They were very meticulous. They recommended a house inspection before we did the first showings. The even suggested a contractor to improve the kitchen floor of the condo!"